Youth Volunteer Program
iFosterIntroduce your child to the rewards of volunteering through fostering. Together, you'll help small animals feel safe, loved, and ready for adoption.
The iFoster program is available to kids between the ages of 8 years old and 13 years old. This is an opportunity for youth to accrue community service hours while also helping the community and small animals – Like rabbits, guinea pigs, and rodents – in need. This program allows youth volunteers to foster with the supervision of an adult guardian. iFoster volunteers accrue 2 hours per day for each foster animal. Proof of hours will be awarded once you’ve finished fostering and the animal(s) return to the shelter!
How Foster Care Generally Works:
- PMHS receives a small animal (rabbit, guinea pigs, etc) that is not yet ready to be put up for adoption, or space is limited.
- Pre-qualified foster homes are contacted. If you are called to foster an animal and cannot do it for any reason, we will find another foster home and call you the next time. It’s always okay to say you are not available.
- The animal goes to the foster home until ready for adoption or space opens up. You may need to bring the animal back to the shelter to be checked periodically by PMHS medical staff or to receive any necessary vaccines or treatments.
- The animal is returned to PMHS for interested adopters to meet. Animals coming out of foster care are spayed/neutered, unless already done so, and then placed up for adoption.
- PMHS provides food, veterinary care and medicine for foster animals and lots of support to foster care volunteers. Foster care volunteers provide time, shelter, and lots of love.
Responsibilities:
- Temporarily house a small animal for either age, space, or medical reasons.
- Provide basic care for the foster animal(s) by feeding, socializing, cleaning, and playing with them
- Administer any prescribed medication as needed.
Attend scheduled follow-up appointments and routine checks. - Be the animal’s advocate and adoption ambassador by marketing them on social media!
- For ages 8 to 13!
- The iFoster’s legal guardian is required to be present for orientation with their child and accompany their child to the shelter to pick-up/drop-off the foster assignment. The purpose of the program is for children to foster with the guidance of a parent/guardian.
Foster Care FAQs
Where do the foster animals come from?
PMHS provides a safe haven for animals coming from a variety of situations. Animals in need of foster care may have arrived at PMHS as a transport from one of our rescue partners, as a surrender from a prior owner, as a stray, or as a returned adoption.
What do foster families need to provide?
Foster families need to provide:
- A healthy and safe environment for their foster animal(s)
- Transportation to and from PMHS as needed
- Socialization and cuddle time to help teach the foster animal positive family and pet relationships
- Lots of exercise (as allowed) and positive stimulation to help them develop into great pets
How much time do I need to spend with a foster animal?
As much time as you can! With that said, the amount of time will vary depending on the energy level and needs of the foster animal. Dogs and cats can differ. It is ideal to spend around two hours a day exercising and playing with your foster animal to ensure that he or she receives adequate socialization and stimulation.
Can I foster animals even if I have a full-time job?
Yes. The foster application is designed as a survey to help the foster coordinator match you with the best animal for your needs and your current schedule. If you have a full-time job, the foster coordinator will match you with a foster animal who may be okay left alone during the workday.
How long will the animal need to be in foster care?
This can vary for each foster animal and the foster animal, depending on the animal’s medical conditions, health status, and readiness for adoption. We ask that when filling out a foster care application you provide us with any time restrictions you may have.
Will I need to give medicine to my foster animal?
Some foster animals are in our foster program due to medical conditions; they may have current prescribed medications they need to take daily.
Some of the animals that we have in our foster program may have been exposed to shelter illnesses. While we do our best to ensure that we are aware of all the conditions that a foster animal may have prior to going home, many illnesses have incubation periods, meaning symptoms can arise after you take a foster pet home. So while some foster animals do not require any medicine, others may. If your foster animal needs medications, our staff will show you how to administer them before you take the animal home. Some foster animals are in our foster program due to medical issues or conditions – They may have current prescribed medications they need to take daily.
Can I let my foster animal play with my personal pets?
There are a few guidelines that we ask foster families to adhere to regarding their personal pets. This can vary for every foster animal. While foster animals playing with other pets is often fine, we advise that you consult with your veterinarian before fostering to ensure that all of your personal pets are healthy and up-to-date on all vaccines. Often, small animals should be kept separate from larger animals for their safety. Animals in shelters are very susceptible to illness and can carry or catch different diseases. If, for any reason, your personal pet becomes ill while you are fostering a PMHS pet, we cannot provide medical care for your personal pet.
Who will take care of my foster animal if I need to go out of town?
If you have travel plans while you are fostering PMHS, you will need to contact the foster coordinator as soon as you know the dates. Please provide at least one week’s notice to ensure that we can accommodate. You cannot leave your foster pet with an unauthorized person or pet sitter. This would need prior approval by PMHS-CV.
Grab a parent or guardian and complete the iFoster application today!
Submit a Non-Emergency Medical Concern for your Foster Animal
Submit a Medication Refill Request for your Foster Animal
Join Our Newsletter
Stay connected with the latest adoption stories, upcoming events, pet care tips, and ways you can make a difference in the lives of local animals.
"*" indicates required fields